From Population Data to Personal Care: A Multidisciplinary Healthcare Model

Abstract

Health authorities worldwide increasingly rely on data describing the broad-level health of populations drawn from census surveys and economic statistics, routinely referred to as “population health data,” to provide guidance on personal healthcare. The mechanistic translation of these extensive data sources into actionable knowledge for individual healthcare provision, termed “population-to-person” healthcare, warrants attentions, given its potential to reshape disciplinary practices as the personal healthcare landscape rapidly evolves. Despite its significance, the theoretical foundation associated with population-to-person healthcare remains underspecified. Moreover, disciplinary terminology erroneously conflates “population health” with actionable decisions relevant solely to individuals, undermining the identification of broadly applicable insights. A unifying vision of population-to-person healthcare, together with distinct practices for operationalizing its principles, further requires articulation because disparate and unrelated features tend to emerge (McNally, 2018).